-----Original Message----- >From: J�rgen Mages <jmages@xxxxxx> >Sent: Jun 28, 2006 2:32 AM >To: python@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >Subject: [python] Re: Front wheel traction > >Hello grwilliams, > >sorry to say that I neither understand the problem nor the >solution ;-) > >> I have read that some people out there complain that a problem >> with the python is the lack of traction on the drive wheel. > >Where to read this? Just in my general reading about recumbent bikes. > >In general FWD recumbents are more prone to traction issues >than RWD ones. I also know this well from my time with the >airbike and from my flevobike tryings. Also ZOX26 riders report >traction problems. > >But the lower the center of gravity gets, the better. Also helping >is a long wheelbase. My python P3 has 63% of the system weight >on the driven front wheel. Climbing is excellent with it. On short >and steep hills I am usually faster than roadies or mountainbikers, >due to the bigger pushing force I can apply. > I have limited storage space so making a longer frame was not an option for me. >E.g. 30 km from my home is a steep road with loose gravel on it, >approx. 15 % slope. I never had a chance with my airbike to climb it. >With the P3 I can do that almost flawlessly (rarely using my fingertips >on the ground to balance the bike). > the airbike has a level plain between the excels and the riders center of gravity is towards the rear wheel. So yes this bike will have a traction problem. >So no real traction problems with FWD lowracers. > Many of the lower racers I have seen are long with the riders center of gravity centered between the wheels. So the trackshion will be better. >On the python delta, the wheelbase can be very short. This surely leads to >loss of traction on steep hills. Maybe there your solution can be applied. >But I could not understand it. Do you mean to use a small front wheel, >or incline the seat position? The point is to get more of the riders CG towards the drive wheel. Inclining the seat will move the center forward. but also using a smaller front wheel allows the wheel to be closer to the rider and inclines the entire bike and shortens the wheel base. I think if too much is moved forward the rider will feel like they are about to be dumped out. like driving a cab forward mini van. > >Cheers, >J�rgen. > >PS: I did a lot of riding on gravel or sandy roads recently. The FWD is >great here, because the driven and steered front wheel always pulls the >rest of the bike out of the mess. When the bike starts to slip, pushing >the pedals always helps restabilizing it. I look forward to seen what moving the CG does to stability. ============================================================ This is the Python Mailinglist //www.freelists.org/list/python Listmaster: Jürgen Mages jmages@xxxxxx To unsubscribe send an empty mail to python-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the subject field. ============================================================